After glancing at Yao Shiling's departing figure, Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment before withdrawing his gaze.
As for the former, Xiao Yan really didn't care. Putting aside Xiao Ming beside him, with his current abilities, he could easily deal with ordinary Yuan Zun experts, let alone an Yuan Zong like himself.
"Does Mr. Xiao Yan have a grudge against that Yao Shiling?"
Beside him, Huoxun Mingcheng glanced briefly in the direction Xiao Yan was pointing and asked curiously. He had noticed the slightly strange atmosphere between Xiao Yan and Yao Shiling earlier.
"It's just a minor disagreement, nothing to worry about."
Xiao Yan smiled slightly, too lazy to waste any more words on this topic. He turned to look at Xiao Siyu, and after exchanging glances and nodding slightly, Xiao Siyu walked towards the stone tablet with a seductive posture. Instantly, many more ardent gazes were drawn to her, and some young people with weaker willpower couldn't help but swallow their saliva.
"This woman..."
"Another member of the Xiao Clan, they're truly remarkable!"
"Hiss... This one... seems to be Xiao Siyu. I've heard she's the number one alchemist among the younger generation of the Xiao Clan, not inferior to some of the prodigies in the Pill Tower!"
"That young man from the Xiao Clan has already reached the level of Tier Seven High-Level Alchemist. I wonder what level she will reach next."
Looking at the alluring woman in the room, the eyes of those present held not only lust but also envy and anticipation.
Their envy goes without saying, and as for their hopes, they naturally wished that Xiao Siyu's alchemist level wouldn't be too high. With one less High-Level Alchemist, their chances of winning the Pill Gathering would naturally increase.
"Although members of various major families participated in previous Pill Gathering, most of them were just there for the fun. But this year, with Mr. Xiao Yan and the Second Miss present, it will surely add a lot of excitement to the Pill Gathering."
Looking at Xiao Siyu's alluring back, Huoxun Mingcheng's eyes flickered slightly before he smiled at Xiao Yan again.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan sighed softly and waved his hand, saying:
" The Pill Gathering is a top-tier event on the continent, attracting countless master alchemists from all over. My purpose in coming here is simply to take this opportunity to observe."
After speaking, Xiao Yan looked at the stone tablet again, which was now radiating light.
Huoxun Mingcheng took a deep breath and slowly withdrew his gaze from Xiao Yan. Perhaps because of the Great Dao of Fire, or perhaps because of the special nature of his own cultivation technique, he could vaguely sense an unusual aura emanating from Xiao Yan. However, he failed to get close to him several times, which only made him more curious about Xiao Yan.
"Whoosh!"
A moment later, another uproar erupted in the hall. The magnificent light on the stone tablet shone brightly once more, though not as bright as Xiao Yan's earlier display, it still left everyone present speechless with astonishment.
Xiao Siyu was a decisive person. Before everyone could react, she had already returned to Xiao Yan's side. Huo Xunmingcheng Huoxun Mingcheng and his attitude was quite attentive.
Then Mu Leng stepped forward and was assessed as Tier Six High-Level Alchemist. Although this level was not high in this competition, Xiao Yan understood that with Mu Leng's talent and his identity as a person from the Southwest, this level was already quite remarkable.
After the test ended, as Xiao Ming stood up, Huoxun Mingcheng refrained from further provocation. After exchanging a few polite words, he watched Xiao Yan and the others leave.
As they stepped out of the main hall, they were greeted by another Pill Tower Elder who led them inside. Xiao Yan looked on curiously and saw a young man in brocade robes and an old man in white robes, who appeared to be scions of some prominent family.
Stepping out, the Pill Tower Elder who had led the way was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing Xiao Ming, he immediately and respectfully handed over a jade slip, explaining that it contained the accommodations arranged for them by the Pill Tower. Xiao Ming seemed to know the way well and did not say much. With a flick of his sleeve, he put the jade slip into his Storage Ring. At the same time, a fist-sized ball of light flew out from the jade slip and led the way, while the elder automatically stepped back.
The group followed the ball of light towards their residence. Once outside the plaza, Xiao Siyu suddenly said:
"Fourth Uncle, did you see those two people just now?"
Xiao Ming shook his head slightly and said:
"Never seen them before. What, are they strange?"
"No, it's just that until we left the palace, the young man's gaze seemed to be fixed on us."
Xiao Siyu sighed softly, still somewhat suspicious. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was taken aback. He had noticed this earlier as well, and if Xiao Siyu hadn't mentioned it, he probably would have simply overlooked it.
I know why!
Just then, Murong Qianqian beside Xiao Yan, released her hand from Xiao Yan's arm, her sharp eyes fixed on Xiao Siyu. Then, amidst the slightly surprised and suspicious gazes of the surrounding people, her alluring eyes swept over Xiao Siyu's voluptuous figure, and she smiled:
"With your beauty, Sister, wasn't Huo Huoxun the same way, staring at you relentlessly?"
Upon hearing this, the group fell silent. Xiao Yan was both amused and exasperated; this young lady was truly unfazed by strangers. Looking at Xiao Siyu's slightly flushed cheeks, the two exchanged awkward glances and pursed their lips, deciding not to dwell on this strange topic any longer.
Next, the group followed Xiao Ming through the city, making many twists and turns, until they finally arrived at a manor in the east of the city.
The ball of light in front of Xiao Ming slowly floated and touched the tightly closed gate of the manor, turning into a ripple that spread out, and then the manor gate slowly opened.
As the group entered the manor and the gate closed, a huge protective shield appeared above the manor. With this shield in place, outsiders would not be able to easily discover what was happening inside the manor.
Xiao Ming strode towards the depths of the manor. As he took his first step, a grayish-white light rapidly spread from the soles of his feet, attaching itself to the protective shield. Even with the help of the Pill Tower, it was still difficult to feel at ease.
At the heart of the manor is a sprawling covered walkway, surrounded by water on three sides, offering a delightful view.
After the group entered the hall, Xiao Ming went straight up to the pavilion, and the others followed suit and took their seats in the hall.
"Call..."
Only then did Mu Leng slump into the chair beneath him, looking utterly exhausted.
He had been dealing with all sorts of people with Murong Qianqian for some time now, and was already exhausted both physically and mentally. Today, he was also traveling with a Yuan Zun Venerable, which was beyond his imagination. He had been extremely cautious along the way, and only now was he able to relax.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan glanced at Murong Qianqian to the side with a strange look in his eyes. This girl looked so energetic and lively, she didn't seem to have gone through any trouble.
Just as Xiao Yan was pondering what to do, Xiao Siyu, sitting opposite him, suddenly asked:
"By the way, Xiao Yan, I saw you standing in front of the stone tablet for so long in the testing hall earlier. Did you gain anything?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan paused slightly in his fingertips, then looked up at Xiao Siyu's slender figure, which was leaning back in the chair, outlining a perfectly sculpted body. His old face flushed slightly, his eyes flickered for a moment, and then he looked away, shaking his head and saying:
"Nothing was gained, but..."
As he spoke, Xiao Yan chuckled softly, flicked his finger across his Storage Ring, and a flash of light appeared. Then, the jet-black Soul Stone Iron Scroll fell back into his hand.
"I think I understand now, how do I solve this?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Siyu, who had been skeptical, immediately focused her attention, while Murong Qianqian, standing to the side, also stared curiously at the black iron scroll in Xiao Yan's hand.
Without much hesitation, the latter conjured the Soul Stone Iron Scroll in his palm, which then floated in mid-air. He clenched his right hand, and an invisible force in his palm condensed into a brush. He infused the ink with his soul and began to trace the dense runes on the iron scroll.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Siyu frowned slightly at first, but upon closer inspection, she saw that wherever the brushstrokes touched, the runes on the Soul Stone Iron Scroll were lit up one by one. This sight made Xiao Siyu instantly understand.
"I see. This Soul Stone Iron Scroll and the Nine-Character Soul Stele are made of the same material. Once these characters are lit up, the contents inside will naturally surface..."
As she finished speaking, Xiao Siyu couldn't help but glance at Xiao Yan, as if she had thought of something. However, she quickly looked away and smiled as she sat back down in her seat.
Since the Soul Stone Iron Scroll and the Nine-Character Soul Stele are made of the same material, and Xiao Yan has unlocked the Soul Stone Iron Scroll, then the secret within the Nine-Character Soul Stele is naturally already in his possession.
As Xiao Yan continuously poured his Spiritual Strength into the Soul Stone Iron Scroll in front of him, half an hour later, when all the runes on the scroll were lit up by the light, a dazzling radiance burst forth from it, illuminating the hall. Mu Leng was also completely awakened from his tired state, staring in astonishment at the line of text that vaguely appeared in mid-air.
" High Intent Grade!"